Fans in awe as Joe Manganiello makes red carpet debut with GF Caitlin O’Connor after Sofia Vergara split

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Joe Manganiello, 46, made his first public appearance on Saturday, December 9, with his new girlfriend, actress Caitlin O’Connor, 33, five months after announcing his split from his wife of seven years, Sofía Vergara.

The couple walked the red carpet at the Children of Armenia Fund Gala at Cipriani in New York City, as reported by OK Magazine.

Joe Manganiello and Caitlin O’Connor looked cozy as they posed arm-in-arm

Manganiello looked dapper in a classic black suit, while O’Connor dazzled in an emerald green gown, posing arm-in-arm for photographers. This marks the first time the fledgling pair have made a formal appearance together since O’Connor confirmed their romance in September.

According to sources close to the couple, they first hit it off at an afterparty for HBO’s 'Winning Time'. A source stated, "They met in the hot tub and were talking the whole time! It was very casual at first."

In the following weeks, the pair were spotted leaving Gold’s Gym together in Venice, California, indicating that their casual romance was heating up. And if their glowing red carpet debut is any indication, this surprise relationship seems to be going strong.

Joe Manganiello was apparently eager to finalize divorce with Sofia Vergara and move on

Manganiello and Vergara's decision to split after seven years of marriage came as a shock to many. In a joint statement, the ex-couple noted, "We have made the difficult decision to divorce. As two people that love and care for one another very much, we politely ask for respect of our privacy at this time."

According to sources, the 'Magic Mike' actor was eager to finalize the divorce and move forward with his life. One claimed, "Joe wants the divorce to go as clean as possible. He would love as little drama [as possible] to come from it." 

They added, "He never wanted to be single, he thought Sofía was the one. But he knows that since it didn't work with Sofía he is getting to a better place within himself to move on."

Internet reacts to Joe Manganiello's relationship with Caitlin O’Connor

Soon after Manganiello and O’Connor's appearance at the Children of Armenia Fund Gala came to light, netizens couldn't help but comment with their thoughts. 

One said, "Can certainly see the attraction," with another claiming, "Hell yeah, that’s a big improvement."

"Life goes on so did he," declared a person, while someone else remarked, "Good luck Joe."

A user mentioned, "This is serious," as they thought there was substance to the budding relationship. 

A person questioned the speed with which Manganiello moved on from his marriage to Vergara and wrote, "Funny how they professed to be soul mates forever. So many celebrities do that. Fall in lust/ love then go on interviews Google eyed and swear eternal love- then not much longer DIVORCE."

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